The Jets' offensive game plan is simple: They want to run the ball. With concerns at the quarterback position, and inexperience at receiver, first-year coordinator John Morton will turn to Matt Forte and Bilal Powell most weekends.

He'll rotate the two so they stay healthy and fresh throughout games. Use them on early to set up manageable third downs. Rely on them to alleviate would-be pressure on less-skilled players.

Sounds like a promising course of action in a rebuilding year.

Just one issue: Forte and Powell combined for 38 rushing yards on 13 carries in the Jets' season-opening loss to the Bills. That's a measly average of 2.9 yards per attempt.

What went wrong? The film tells the story.

The Bills made a concerted effort not to let the Jets' running game beat them. They stacked the box on most attempts with eight, sometimes nine defenders. When Forte and Powell got the handoff, they rarely had anywhere to go.

The Bills stack the box on a 1st and 10 in Sunday's game against the Jets (NFL Game Pass)Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Bilal Powell doesn't have anywhere to run after taking a handoff against a loaded front (NFL Game Pass)Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

"They were coming off and packing it pretty good, making us come off of double-teams pretty quickly," coach Todd Bowles said Monday. "They had it packed up pretty good. We just have to find a way to open it up and keep plugging at it

Buffalo had virtually no respect for the Jets' passing attack. They dared them to throw. Even in obvious passing situations, they loaded the box and pressed the receivers with little safety help. If a wideout got a step on one of those defensive backs, it would have been an easy touchdown. The Bills didn't believe Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse or ArDarius Stewart were capable of that.

The Jets load the box and shade a safety away from receiver Robby Anderson, positioned at the bottom of the photo. (NFL Game Pass)Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Jets desperately needed to clear the box. The only way to do that is with the threat of an over-the-top pass. Morton rarely dialed them up -- despite Bowles saying the Jets had a few shots called, but didn't get the protection to hit them.

On Sunday, quarterback Josh McCown finished 26 of 39 for 187 yards with two interceptions. He averaged 4.7 yards per attempt. He threw just one go-route, which fell incomplete. Buffalo cornerback Tre'Davious White had Anderson covered and batted it away.

But this wasn't like McCown regulary passed up long shots. In longer, but still manageable third downs, the Jets ran routes well short of the first down.

Despite facing a longer, but still manageable 3rd and 9, the Jets ran just a 3-man route with only one player (ArDarius Stewart) past the first-down marker. McCown threw the ball to Anderson (middle of photo), who was tackled short of the marker. The Jets punted on the next play. (NFL Game Pass)Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Even when presented an ideal opportunity to take a chance, and potentially clear out the box, the Jets decided against it. Most teams considering 2nd and 1 an ideal situation to throw the ball deep. If the pass falls incomplete, you still have another down to pick up one yard.

The Jets had a 2nd and 1 in the first half. They ran an underneath crossing route with Kearse, and a 9-yard comeback with Anderson. McCown took a sack.

Presented with an opportunity to take a shot down the field, the Jets instead run two intermediate routes. With neither open, McCown takes an 11-yard sack (NFL Game Pass)Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Jets roster limitations are evident. All in the NFL know this. But while upper management has eyes set on the future, these players and coaches are still trying to win.

If they want to, they'll need Forte, Powell and a solid running game on game days.

If they can't figure out a way to clear out the box, they won't have it.